title: Helping the helpers: mindfulness training for burnout in pediatric oncology--a pilot program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Burnout, a syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished feelings of accomplishment, is common among pediatric oncology staff. This study explores a mindfulness-based course (MBC) to decrease burnout in a multidisciplinary group of pediatric oncology staff members in the United States and Israel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight participants, mostly nurses, were randomized to either the MBC intervention or a control group. MBC participants received eight weekly sessions of mindfulness education. The primary outcome studied was burnout. Secondary outcomes studied included depression and perceived stress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly 100% of the subjects exhibited signs of burnout at baseline and MBC did not result in any significant improvement in scores on burnout, perceived stress or depression scales. Qualitative analysis of diaries kept by subjects revealed reduced stress, improved inner peace, compassion and joy, better focus and self-awareness and less somatic symptoms in the intervention arm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Burnout is a major problem in pediatric oncology staff. Mindfulness practices can be taught in the workplace and may be a useful component of a multidimensional strategy to reduce burnout in this population.
authors.affiliation: 1Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moody
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: Ruth O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Santizo
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Magro
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wyshogrod
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ambrosio
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Rhonda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.forename: Jerry
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D002055:Burnout, Professional; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D009729:Nursing; D010372:Pediatrics; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: burnout; mindfulness-based stress reduction; nurse; pediatric hematology oncology; physician